A London council could fine residents up to £80 for spitting in public after asking the government for permission to ban what it described as a "truly disgusting habit".

Enfield council's proposed bylaw would make spitting an offence – the first such law in England for 22 years. The north London council said it had gone to the local government minister, Eric Pickles, to ask for the bylaw to be approved after more than 3,700 borough residents signed a petition.

If Pickles allows the move, the council plans to have the ban in place within a month. It says the legislation would cover joggers in parks and on streets, but not people playing sports on public fields.

Council enforcement officers would have the power to hand out fixed-penalty notices – expected to be around £80 – to anyone caught spitting, and warning signs would also be erected around the borough. Those refusing to pay could face prosecution and a potential fine of up to £5,000.

"Joggers should not be able to spit in the road," Enfield council said. "Exceptions are outside areas which are used for the purposes of organised sport."

The council said the legislation was "obviously subject to amendment because the department for communities and local government may recommend changes".

The council said Enfield had originally taken up the concerns of older residents with the Ministry of Justice last year, but had been told a petition was needed to prove public support before an application was resubmitted to the department for communities and local government.

A ban on spitting was first brought in after the first world war to stop the spread of TB. However, the ban – which came with a maximum fine of £5 – was dropped in 1990 when TB rates were far too low to warrant its enforcement on health grounds.

The Enfield councillor Chris Bond, the council cabinet's environment member, said: "Spitting is a truly disgusting habit and the vast majority of people are in favour of us banning it.

"It is now up to the government to decide whether or not we can ban spitting in this borough, and I'd urge them to listen to the views of people living here and give us the ability to tackle this foul practice once and for all."